This time Scientific Bangladesh has talked with PhD student Enamul Haque. He is in second year in pursuing PhD in Material and Engineering Sciences at Monash University. His insights might be helpful for other current and future PhD students. Here is what he says:
1.Scientific Bangladesh: Please briefly introduce yourself, your PhD topic and, your University to our readers.
Enamul Haque: Hi, I am Enamul Haque, a 2nd year PhD student in Materials Science and Engineering at Monash University and associate PhD student at ARC FLEET. I am working on two dimensional topological insulators; special class of materials of which the surface surface does not conduct electricity while the boundary/edge (protected by symmetries) conducts charge carriers only. Thus, the charge flows only in one direction and there is no backscattering (no heat/no energy loss). I am studying the physics of many body interactions at the boundary/edge states.
2.Scientific Bangladesh: What has made you have gone for PhD? In other words, why are you pursuing PhD?
Enamul Haque: Thanks, that’s very nice question. I love physics and its research to learn something new. This is my passion and I realized that I need to have a solid background on the physics/material physics to continue my research. I also realized that PhD is the best way for gaining a solid background and technical training to keep alive my passion.
3.Scientific Bangladesh: How did you choose your i) PhD topic and ii) Institute?
Enamul Haque: First I selected which country would be best for me. As I have already collaborated with Prof. Catherine (The University of Sydney) and some others, the time required to complete PhD is suitable for me, and the environment is quite good, I selected Australia as the best country for me. Then I reviewed the world ranking of the universities in Australia, and the people working in my research field. As ARC FLEET has 8 member universities in Australia and more than 18 member top universities in the world, I also thought it would be best institute for me. I wrote one normal research proposal for ARC FLEET. Meanwhile, my collaborator Dr. Claudio asked me to apply for PhD in UNSW. I discussed with Dr. Claudio and agreed on the research topic on electrocaloric materials and wrote the second proposal for the UNSW PhD application. Thus, I summited my applications to ARC FLEET and UNSW separately. Unfortunately, I failed to get offer from ARC FLEET. Fortunately, I got admission offer (with full funding) from UNSW. Due to covid-19 restrictions, I could not travel to Australia and start my PhD. Few months later, I came to know that my collaborator (would be my supervisor in UNSW) is leaving UNSW. At the same time, I came to know about that the Department of Materials science and Engineering of Monash University is number one in Australia and about A/Prof Nikhil (my current supervisor). I asked Dr. Claudio about that PhD option under A/Prof Nikhil and he advised me to leave UNSW for Monash University. Fortunately, A/Prof Nikhil managed all the things for me and I submitted the previously written research proposal for admission. After starting my PhD, I started to finalize my research topic under A/Prof Nikhil guidance. After working on this about four months, I had finalized my research topic.
4.Scientific Bangladesh: What is the minimum qualification in your university to get admission as PhD student, Bachelor or Master degree?
Enamul Haque: The minimum qualification is to have Bachelor with first-class honors or Master degree. Also You must meet the minimum English requirement for admission. Besides, on-two research paper published in web of science listed journals and with first authorship would be the plus one point.
5.Scientific Bangladesh: If anyone wants to do PhD in your University/country, what are the steps one has to follow?
Enamul Haque: First, the person needs to meet all the admission criteria of Monash University. Then the person needs to find a suitable supervisor and send him/her a formal email expressing person’s interest. If the supervisor agrees, he/she will arrange an interview and finally send the person a formal invitation. Now the person needs to submit the official online application along with scholarship applications. If all get well, the person will receive an official offer letter and needs to accept it as soon as possible. Then the person will receive the confirmation of enrolment (CoE) and needs to apply for student visa shortly.
6.Scientific Bangladesh: What mistakes should one avoid when contacting with University or Professor for PhD studentship?
Enamul Haque: One should write a formal email to a professor and should not ask something directly. For example, one says ” dear professor X, ….I am very suitable for this PhD position and can you please send the invitation letter to submit my application for PhD?” It’s better to use “I would wonder or I am wondering if I get……..” Also one should not be in hurry, as the professors have lot of works. One should wait for sometime to get response from the professor.
7.Scientific Bangladesh: How will you get PhD, by submitting a thesis or publishing a certain no of publications(journal articles)?
Enamul Haque: I will get my PhD by submitting a thesis (publication based) with certain number of publications in good journals.
8.Scientific Bangladesh: Did you deliberately choose your Supervisor? What were your criteria for choosing PhD supervisor?
Enamul Haque: Yes, I selected my supervisor based on few criteria. First criterion was the research field, that is, how much my research interest match with my supervisor research interest. The second criterion was how much time the supervisor will give me. The third criterion was the behavior of the supervisor (you can get this information from the current PhD student under him/her supervision). The fourth criterion was his/her research activity and how actively publishes paper.
9.Scientific Bangladesh: What is your key to maintaining a good relationship with your supervisor?
Enamul Haque: My key is to present something in every week’s group meeting. I always share the problems I am facing and the research output got in the current week.
10.Scientific Bangladesh: What principle do you follow to maintain a good relationship with your lab mates?
Enamul Haque: I always try to be very friendly with them, and respond their enquiries as soon as possible. I am also very helpful and always try to help my labmates. I also asks them for help without any hesitation. During the group discussion, I ask them very politely and point out their errors very friendly/politely.
11.Scientific Bangladesh: Doing PhD is a stressful job? How do you manage or release stress?
Enamul Haque: Yes, Indeed, it’s a very stressful job. I like to go to walking and talk with my family members when I feel too stressed. I also talk with my lab mates and discuss my issues. I think the physical exercise is the best way to release the stress. Also, talking with my mom/sisters is good way to release the stress.
12.Scientific Bangladesh: How many days in a week do you go to the lab? Should PhD students work 7 days/week?
Enamul Haque: I go seven days to the lab in a week. I think the PhD students should not work 7 days in a week because mental health is very important. But I have lot of works and I love to do works (love physics) in every day, so I do seven days.
13.Scientific Bangladesh: PhD is considered as training for a career in Research. What 1. technical and 2. Soft skills you are focusing on developing or developed by this time?
Enamul Haque: I am focusing on developing computational, such as writing programs to analyze data and implement new approach; experimental skills to perform some simple experiments; and solid background on materials physics. I am also focusing on teamwork, international collaboration, communications, and adaptability.
14.Scientific Bangladesh: What is your plan? Want to go back to Bangladesh or not?
Enamul Haque: Thank you so much for this question. First, my plan is to complete my PhD successfully. Then I will look for postdoctoral positions and try to complete three-five postdoctoral positions. Certainly then I will go back to my beloved home country and to my village and I want to live there until my last breath. I will continue my research from home and I have a dream to setup a world-class lab (computational and experimental condensed matter physics) in my home (Insha’Allah).
15.Scientific Bangladesh: What are your suggestions for prospective PhD students?
Enamul Haque:
Please do not run behind the money. The money should run behind you.
My suggestions to prospective PhD student are to be patient and find the best place for your research very carefully. If you could not find a good place, you would have to regret for it in your rest of life. Best of luck for your future PhD journey!